Keratin-Based Plasma Expander Maintains Blood Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plasma expanders and blood substitutes often reduce blood viscosity, leading to decreased cardiac output and tissue perfusion, which can be detrimental in acute conditions like hemorrhage, as they fail to maintain adequate functional capillary density and mean arterial pressure, especially when viscosity falls below a certain threshold.
Innovation Solution
A keratin-based plasma expander composition, specifically formulated with alpha and gamma keratose derivatives, is developed to maintain blood viscosity within a therapeutic range, preventing the adverse effects of low viscosity on tissue perfusion and cardiac output by forming a homogeneous liquid composition with an electrolyte solution, thereby ensuring effective resuscitation and maintaining functional capillary density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional plasma expanders are used to maintain blood volume, then plasma volume is increased, but blood viscosity decreases leading to decreased cardiac output and tissue perfusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the plasma expander by using high molecular weight polymers (dextran 70,700, or 500 kDa) to create a composition that maintains blood viscosity within the therapeutic range (2.5-4.0 cP) while expanding plasma volume, thereby preventing the harmful effects of low viscosity on cardiac output and tissue perfusion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite plasma expander composition combining conventional plasma expanders with high molecular weight dextran polymers to achieve both plasma volume expansion and maintenance of therapeutic blood viscosity, resolving the contradiction between volume expansion and viscosity maintenance
2Speed
If blood viscosity is reduced through hemodilution, then blood flow may improve in large vessels, but functional capillary density and mean arterial pressure are not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter of the plasma expander composition to maintain blood viscosity within the specific therapeutic range of 2.5-4.0 cP, which is sufficient to maintain functional capillary density and mean arterial pressure while still allowing adequate blood flow through the vasculature
3Quantity of substance
If low viscosity plasma expanders are used, then plasma volume expansion is achieved, but blood viscosity falls below the threshold required for adequate tissue perfusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the viscosity parameter of the plasma expander by incorporating high molecular weight dextran polymers to ensure blood viscosity remains above the critical threshold of 2.5 cP, thereby maintaining adequate tissue perfusion pressure and preventing the harmful effects of excessive hemodilution
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The keratin-based plasma expander composition effectively maintains blood viscosity and functional capillary density, preventing the detrimental effects of low viscosity on cardiac output and tissue perfusion, thus providing a stable resuscitation medium that can restore and sustain adequate blood flow and oxygen delivery during acute blood losses.
Implementation Method 1
a keratin derivative... solubilized in the electrolyte solution to form a homogeneous liquid composition
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid plasma expander or resuscitation fluid composition for use in a subject in need thereof, comprising, consisting of; or consisting essentially of: (a) a keratin derivative (preferably alpha keratose, gamma keratose, or combinations thereof, and with basic alpha keratose preferred over acidic alpha keratose); and (b) an electrolyte solution, with the keratin derivative solubilized in the electrolyte solution to form a homogeneous liquid composition. Blood substitutes formed therefrom and methods of making and using the same are also described.